15 STEM Internships for Undergraduates in New Jersey
As a college student, doing an internship in a lab, engineering firm, biotech company, or tech startup allows you to apply technical knowledge, strengthen your resume, and build relationships with mentors who can guide your career trajectory. You’ll also gain exposure to industry tools, research methods, data analysis workflows, and collaborative project environments that mirror full-time roles. New Jersey is home to major pharmaceutical companies, research universities, advanced manufacturing firms, energy providers, and technology companies, making it a great location for undergraduates seeking meaningful experience. Whether you’re interested in biomedical research, software engineering, environmental science, chemical manufacturing, or aerospace systems, you’ll find internships that align with your interests.
Why should I do a STEM internship in college?
A STEM internship strengthens your employability by giving you experience with industry-relevant tools, methodologies, and workflows. You’ll learn how to conduct experiments under regulatory constraints, develop software in collaborative repositories, analyze large datasets, or support engineering design reviews. Beyond technical growth, internships build professional skills such as documentation, cross-functional communication, project management, and problem-solving under pressure. You’ll also get to expand your professional network, often securing references, research opportunities, or even return offers.
With that, here are 15 STEM internships for undergraduates in New Jersey that offer rigorous training, project work, and strong mentorship.
1. ACEE Summer Internship Program
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, or approved nonprofit placements (off-campus)
Stipend: Paid a weekly stipend
Program Dates: 8-10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Princeton undergraduates (first-years, sophomores, juniors)
The ACEE (Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment) Summer Internship Program funds undergraduate research focused on energy and environmental challenges. As a participant, you’ll work either with a Princeton faculty adviser on campus or with a nonprofit organization off campus, contributing to projects that address sustainability and energy systems problems. Research formats vary and may include laboratory experiments, applied field research, computational modeling, data analysis, or theoretical investigations. Projects span disciplines beyond engineering, including natural sciences and social sciences, making this a strong option if your STEM interests intersect with policy, climate science, or environmental systems.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid offered
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap-year students able to commit 10-20 hours per week for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is a competitive, fully virtual internship that places you with startups and nonprofit organizations tackling active operational and technical challenges. Instead of shadowing professionals or completing simulated assignments, you’ll take ownership of a defined project that directly supports your host organization’s objectives. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to engineering development, product research, data analysis, software implementation, or operations strategy. You’ll work closely with a designated supervisor who provides structured mentorship, regular feedback, and accountability checkpoints. The program emphasizes independent problem-solving, professional communication, and measurable deliverables within a remote work environment. You’ll also collaborate across functional teams, gaining insight into how startups and mission-driven organizations coordinate engineering, data, and operational workflows. Apply now!
3. Bioengineering Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (BE-SURE)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: Paid; Research funding provided
Program Dates: 9 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Princeton and non-Princeton undergraduates; Rising sophomores through rising seniors encouraged
The Bioengineering Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (BE-SURE) introduces you to interdisciplinary research at the interface of engineering and life sciences. During the nine-week program, you’ll work in a Princeton academic lab on a bioengineering research project that may involve applied experimentation, computational modeling, or laboratory-based investigations. In addition to your research, you’ll receive structured training in scientific communication, including best practices for presenting findings and articulating technical concepts clearly. You’ll participate in cohort-based activities such as industry visits, a tour of Princeton Innovation Center Biolabs (PICB), and networking with other undergraduates interested in bioengineering, including members of the Princeton iGEM team.
4. STEM Camp Intern: Camp Instructor
Location: Students 2 Science, Whippany, NJ
Stipend: $20/hour
Program Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: Not specified; Apply early
Eligibility: Current college students or recent graduates in computer science, engineering, robotics, STEM education, or related fields; Must be a New Jersey resident
The STEM Camp Intern: Camp Instructor role at Students 2 Science gives you direct experience in STEM education while strengthening your technical skills. You’ll work with middle school students in a week-long immersive camp focused on robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, drone technology, and game design. Throughout the program, you’ll assist lead instructors with activities such as building Arduino-based robots, coding sensors and motors, exploring neural networks with Google Teachable Machine and TensorFlow. You’ll guide students through drone challenges and game development projects using mBlock or Roblox Studio. You’ll also help students troubleshoot hardware and coding issues, reinforce safe lab practices, and contribute to daily setup and materials management.
5. T&M Associates: Science, Engineering, and Technology Internship
Location: T&M Associates, Bloomfield, NJ
Stipend: $20 – $23/hour
Program Dates: Late May – August
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Current undergraduate freshmen to juniors pursuing degrees related to engineering, planning, IT, or technical services
The Science, Engineering, and Technology Internship at T&M Associates gives you exposure to multidisciplinary engineering and technical consulting projects within a professional firm. T&M operates across five major sectors: Buildings and Facilities, Community and Land Development, Environmental, Transportation, and Water, making this internship particularly valuable if you are exploring civil, environmental, water resources, transportation, mechanical, or electrical engineering. During the internship, you may support project teams with data analysis, technical documentation, field coordination, and design-related tasks. As an engineering intern, you will often work with tools such as AutoCAD and Civil 3D, assist in drafting and plan development, and contribute to technical reports. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and written communication is important, as you will be expected to handle structured documentation and analytical tasks.
6. Students 2 Science: Project-Based STEM Internship Program
Location: Students 2 Science, Whippany, NJ
Stipend: Varies by role (some paid summer roles; school-year internships typically unpaid)
Program Dates: School year and summer options available
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: School-year internships: College students only; Summer internships: Primarily college students, limited high school spots available
The Students 2 Science (S2S) Project-Based Internship Program offers mentored, hands-on STEM experience designed to build both technical and professional skills. During the internship, you will work within one of S2S’s signature program areas and be placed at either the Apollo or Newark Technology Center. As a Program Intern, you’ll evaluate existing curriculum and program delivery practices, develop updated and engaging STEM content, and support implementation of programming. You may assist with research, content development, event planning, and participation in corporate site visits or workforce development workshops. Career Advancement Program (CAP) interns also help coordinate events and maintain contact databases.
7. New Jersey Space Grant Consortium (NJSGC): Undergraduate Summer Internship
Location: Various universities or affiliated industry partners in NJ
Stipend: $500/week
Program Dates: ~10 weeks, beginning on or around June 1 (flexible with mentor approval)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled at New Jersey universities; Must secure a faculty or industry mentor
The NJSGC Undergraduate Summer Internship supports research in space sciences aligned with one of NASA’s Mission Directorates. As a participant, you’ll conduct a mentored research project at a New Jersey university or approved industry partner. Your research must clearly connect to NASA mission areas, such as space technology, Earth science, aeronautics, or human exploration and operations. You will be responsible for identifying a mentor before applying. The mentor must formally agree to supervise your project and provide a letter confirming their support. This structure mirrors graduate-level research preparation and encourages early engagement with faculty or research leaders.
8. New Jersey Space Grant Consortium: Brookdale STEM Internship
Location: Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ
Stipend: $2,000 (tentative)
Program Duration: 1 academic year (cohort begins in September)
Application Deadline: September 17
Eligibility: U.S. full-time Brookdale Community College students who have a minimum of 24 completed credits and a GPA of 3.0 or higher
The Brookdale STEM Internship, administered through the New Jersey Space Grant Consortium (NJSGC), is a NASA-sponsored, year-long academic research and enrichment program designed for high-achieving community college students in STEM fields. You’ll work one-on-one with a faculty mentor, ideally within your major, to design and complete a substantive STEM project. The project culminates in a formal presentation at the Brookdale Student Showcase or Honors Symposium. In some cases, you may collaborate with a NASA center during the summer component.
9. NJCU Undergraduate Summer Internship Program
Location: New Jersey City University (NJCU), Jersey City, NJ
Stipend: Paid (must meet federal work eligibility requirements)
Program Dates: May 26 – July 30
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: NJCU students in good academic standing; Majors housed in the College of Arts & Sciences; U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or work authorization required for paid participation
The NJCU Undergraduate Summer Internship Program, supported through the U.S. Department of Education’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) STEM initiative, allows you to conduct original research or produce creative scholarly work under direct faculty mentorship. As a participant, you’ll work on a defined research or creative project within your discipline. In STEM majors, this may include laboratory experimentation, computational research, mathematical modeling, or applied data analysis using advanced instrumentation and technical procedures. You’ll also receive structured instruction in research design, responsible conduct of research, laboratory safety, and (where applicable) human subjects protection.
10. NJIT Internships & Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program
Location: New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Newark, NJ
Stipend: Paid and unpaid internships available; Co-ops typically paid and eligible for academic credit
Program Dates: Fall, spring, and summer terms
Application Deadline: Varies by employer and academic schedule
Eligibility: NJIT students
NJIT’s Internship and Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program integrates professional experience directly into your academic trajectory. Through NJIT’s career platform, you’ll gain access to a database of over 26,000 job opportunities and structured support for resume building, interview preparation, and employer networking. Internships typically last a semester or summer and may or may not be related to your major. Internships are more flexible and may involve limited faculty oversight. Some internships can later be converted into formal co-op experiences, depending on eligibility and coordination with your Career Advisor. Cooperative Education (Co-op) is a more structured, academically integrated work experience directly tied to your major. Co-ops allow you to earn academic credit while working in a professional setting. This model strengthens the connection between classroom learning and real-world application. You’ll gain exposure to industry technologies, research environments, and workplace standards while building a professional network.
11. Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES)
Location: Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
Stipend: Paid (Funded by NIH/NCI)
Program Dates: Late June – August 25
Application Deadline: February 23 (early); March 8 (final)
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduate students, and educators (U.S. eligibility requirements apply per NIH funding)
Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) is an NIH/National Cancer Institute-funded program designed to build pathways into oncology research and healthcare careers. As an undergraduate participant, you’ll engage in mentored cancer research at the Rutgers Cancer Institute while receiving structured professional development and community engagement training. RUYES participants are trained as “Community Scientists.” This model emphasizes not only laboratory research but also community-connected science. You’ll work alongside faculty mentors on cancer-focused research projects while developing the skills needed to communicate scientific findings to diverse audiences. The program includes professional development workshops, co-curricular training, and structured research immersion.
12. Princeton University & NOAA GFDL: CIMES Summer Research Internship
Location: Princeton University & NOAA Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), Princeton, NJ
Stipend: $5,600 – $7,000
Program Dates: 8-9 weeks (flexible dates based on host availability)
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Non-Princeton undergraduates (first-year to senior year)
The CIMES Summer Research Internship, hosted by the Cooperative Institute for Modeling the Earth System (CIMES) in collaboration with NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), offers intensive research training in atmospheric science, oceanography, and Earth system modeling. During the internship, you’ll work on a scientific research problem under close supervision from a Princeton or GFDL scientist. Projects may involve applied or basic research, computational modeling, theoretical analysis, or large-scale data analysis. You’ll gain access to high-performance computing resources, scientific libraries, and ongoing research seminars.
13. CITP Siegel Public Interest Technology Summer Fellowship (PIT-SF)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: 8 weeks (summer)
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors from universities in the Public Interest Technology University Network (PIT-UN); Princeton and non-Princeton undergraduates
The Siegel Public Interest Technology Summer Fellowship (PIT-SF), hosted by Princeton’s Center for Information Technology Policy (CITP), is designed for students interested in the intersection of technology, law, and public policy. If you are pursuing computer science, engineering, public policy, or related disciplines and want exposure to regulatory and governance frameworks, this fellowship provides immersion in technology policy environments. As a fellow, you’ll gain first-hand experience working on policy issues at the federal, state, or local level. Projects may focus on areas such as AI governance, cybersecurity regulation, privacy law, digital platform policy, or oversight of emerging technologies. In addition to applied policy work, you’ll attend lectures and seminars led by experts in computer science, law, and public policy.
14. Coding Foundations of Research
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates: 9 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: Non-Princeton undergraduates (first-year through junior year)
The Coding Foundations of Research program is a computational research internship designed for undergraduates who want to build strong technical foundations in programming and data analysis. Over nine weeks, you’ll receive instruction in computer literacy and Python programming, followed by research experience analyzing scientific datasets, primarily drawn from astronomy. The program combines structured group instruction with individualized mentoring. You’ll learn how to write, debug, and optimize code, manipulate datasets, visualize results, and interpret findings within a scientific framework. Beyond astronomy, you will be introduced to how computational methods are used across STEM and social science disciplines, expanding your understanding of data-driven research environments. A key component of the internship is the final symposium, where you’ll present your work to peers, instructors, and guests. This capstone presentation strengthens your ability to communicate technical findings clearly and professionally.
15. MSU-CS (JerseySTEM): STEM611: 14-Week Intern
Location: Select middle schools near Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Stipend: Unpaid
Program Dates: 14 weeks (aligned with Montclair State University semester schedule)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Currently enrolled Montclair State University students majoring in computer science, information systems, engineering, mathematics, education, or related fields
The STEM611 Internship with JerseySTEM combines technical project experience with community-based STEM instruction. As a Technology Intern, you’ll split your time between working on a structured IT project and teaching middle school girls in underserved New Jersey communities. On the technical side, you’ll participate in requirements gathering, project scoping, and solution development. Training may include data analytics, JavaScript coding, MySQL, Looker Studio, or cybersecurity testing. You will be expected to help develop, configure, deploy, and document deliverables, culminating in a final presentation to tech management. This component builds applied technical and documentation skills that are directly relevant to industry roles.
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